Marquinhos and Kvaratskhelia target Real Madrid’s three-peat after PSG defeat Arsenal in Budapest final

Paris Saint-Germain’s captain Marquinhos and Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have both publicly stated their ambition to win a third consecutive UEFA Champions League title, following the club’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over Arsenal in the Budapest final on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

The contest ended 1-1 after extra time before PSG prevailed 4-3 on penalties to secure back-to-back European titles. It was the French club’s second successive Champions League crown, having won their maiden European trophy last season with a commanding 5-0 defeat of Inter Milan.

Speaking in the aftermath of the final, Marquinhos reflected on the scale of the achievement. “This year, the feeling is different. Winning it once is difficult, but winning it twice in a row is even harder,” the Brazilian centre-back said. He also addressed supporters back home, adding: “Thank you to everyone at the Parc des Princes, back in Paris… This is incredible; we are living our dream.”

With PSG now holding consecutive Champions League titles, comparisons to Real Madrid’s unprecedented run of three straight European Cup victories — achieved between 2016 and 2018 under Zinedine Zidane — have become inevitable. Marquinhos appeared fully aware of that benchmark, stating: “We have a very young squad; we can win it a third time in a row.”

Kvaratskhelia, who joined PSG from Napoli in January 2025 and has established himself as a key creative force in the side, echoed his captain’s sentiments following his contribution to unlocking Arsenal’s defence throughout the match. “It’s an incredible feeling,” the winger said. “I was very tired, but when it was all over, I still had the energy to run and celebrate. We did it.”

The 23-year-old also outlined the squad’s collective mindset going forward. “Now we need to keep moving in this direction. Next season, we will try to win this trophy again,” Kvaratskhelia added.

PSG’s triumph in Budapest represents the culmination of a long-term project at the Parc des Princes, where significant squad investment over more than a decade had previously failed to deliver a Champions League title. The club’s consecutive victories now place them among the elite clubs in the competition’s modern era, with only Real Madrid having won three or more successive titles in the Champions League format.

With a self-described young squad and clear ambitions from senior players, PSG will enter the 2026-27 Champions League campaign as one of the tournament favourites and as defending champions for the second consecutive year — a position that will place considerable pressure on the squad to maintain their European dominance.